There's just something special about John Wayne

Like many of us – for good or ill – a lot of what I know comes from watching television.

Occasionally I learn something nice. On a recent episode of "Antiques Roadshow" there was this fellow who told of how his father was a crew member for many John Wayne movies. He said that on every movie, Wayne would give each member of the cast and crew a coffee mug on which was painted the name of the film, a scene from the film and an individual greeting, such as, "To Joe, from Duke."

And then, there are those days when I kind of feel at loose ends. So, I turn on the TV, always first to channel 50.2 in hopes the movie station is showing a John Wayne film. Channel 50.2 airs a lot of Wayne movies. And when I light on one of those films I can feel my spirits go up and my blood pressure go down.

All this for an actor who died on June 11, 1979.

Though John Wayne has been dead for 38 years, he always is near the top of any poll of favorite actors. I'm not smart enough, or educated enough, to explain John Wayne's enduring popularity.

I know he was a fine actor. I know he made some great films. I know he made some mediocre movies in which he was the only thing worth watching. And I know his political views cast him in the role of satan to many young people in 1960s. There was just something else about him that I leave to scholars, something about archetypes and symbolism and the American frontier myth and reality.

That was a great reflection on John Wayne. That about describes me accurately with regards to the affect a John Wayne movie has on me. When I want to relax and get comfortable, John Wayne is the tonic I seek. In fact, I'm sitting here this morning typing this with a cup of coffee and a copy of El Doroda playing. I have a long busy day in front of me and I wanted to start it with a boost of energy.

I think part of my love of John Wayne is I can always count on who it is I see, both in movies and in interviews. His kind are from a generation we seem to be losing right now and I belong with that generation. So I watch these movies to both hold on to those days, but to also remind me that values never change, people do. I'll stick with the principles and values I grew up on.

Because I lived in the UK...

Somewhere in the top 5 of my list would indeed be "The Quiet Man". He and Maureen O'Hara played in several movies together, and this was one of her very finest!
Finally, "Red River" is a must see for any JW
fan...
I own all commercially available JW movie's, and these two seem to always be played the most.
But whichever movie you chose on any particular day, your in for wonderful entertainment!!
Merry Christmas to All folks!
"

Just re-watched The Sons of Katie Elder. Some quick thoughts: (1) First half of movie is a nice little mystery......as the movie hands out little tidbits of information. (2) Wayne looks surprisingly fit...especially since filming was delayed for 4 months while he recovered from cancer treatments. (3) Movie is not nearly as impressive as Martin and Wayne's Rio Bravo....but it is still very enjoyable. (4) I bet Dean Martin thought he was doing a death scene when he falls down at the end....only saved by a throwaway line with Martin off camera at the end....as Martha Hyer's character says..."Tom told the doctor it will take more than one bullet to kill him."